Ulster Bank League: Division 1B Previews

Big games abound in Division 1B with Bruff scrapping for form ahead of an All-Ireland Cup final date, UL Bohemians and Dungannon aiming for a play-off spot and of course the winners-take-all promotion clash on the Aviva Stadium's back pitch.

Preview: Hard to believe that Bruff find themselves bottom of the table after a season which has seen them win the Munster Senior Cup and reach the final of the Bateman All-Ireland Cup.

They trail Galwegians by two points and UCC by three. Consequently, a victory is essential if they are to avoid propping up the table and going into a play-off encounter against the fifth-placed side in Division 2.

It will be interesting to see how leaders Clontarf approach the game, given that they have already achieved their targets of winning the division and qualifying for the Division 1 semi-finals. Bernard Jackman's side wil want to finish with a flourish.

Preview: Once again there is a lot at stake here. Fifth-placed Dungannon are still in with a chance of snatching third spot if other results go their way and they have the Bateman All-Ireland Cup final a week later to think about.

UCC, for their part, lie third-from-bottom and could need a result to avoid Galwegians and Bruff moving ahead of them. They will not find it easy against a Dungannon outfit which has put together a very good run of recent form.

'Gannon have mustered successive victories over Buccaneers in the last couple of weeks. They must start this game as favourites on the basis that they have home advantage.

Preview: Galwegians, written off not so long ago, have put together three victories to move off the bottom of the table.

A further win and the men from Glenina will have managed a remarkable escape. But they will face a very tough task against a UL Bohemians side that is hoping to secure the vital third spot in the table and a play-off for promotion to Divison 1A.

Last weekend's 20-15 away success over Clontarf showed how good this UL Bohs side can be. This has all the makings of a smashing match.

Looking forward to facing England on Sunday, Ireland winger Tommy Bowe said: "We've trained very well this week, we're really excited about the game. It's about going out there and doing whatever we can to get ourselves that win."

Second row Devin Toner previews Ireland's crunch RBS 6 Nations clash with England, saying: "It's a pretty formidable English pack. Attwood and Kruis have played fantastically well. They're well drilled and focused and their scrum and lineout are very good."

Looking forward to facing England this weekend, Ireland back rower Sean O'Brien said: "It's obviously exciting, but it's one game at a time. I don't think there's any more pressure on us than in the first two games. That's the way you have to look at it."

Irish Rugby TV sat down with Ireland Under-20 scrum coach John Fogarty to talk about the U-20 Six Nations so far and Friday's clash with England at Donnybrook. Tickets are on sale on www.ticketmaster.ie.

Shane Byrne and Malcolm O'Kelly preview the Ireland v England Legends match which takes place at Donnybrook this coming Saturday (kick-off 7.30pm). Tickets are available from www.ticketmaster.ie. All proceeds from the game will go to support the IRFU Charitable Trust and the RFU All Schools Charity.

Watch highlights from the Ireland team announcement press conference as Joe Schmidt reveals the team to play France. Peter O'Mahony says it is good to 'have some big figures back' for Saturday's clash.